Selected 6beta- and 6alpha-trifluoromethoxyl androstane,estrane and pregnane derivatives



United States Patent O 3,546,259 SELECTED 6/3- AND Ga-TRIFLUOROMETHOXYL ANDROSTANE, ESTRANE AND PREGNANE DERIVATIVES George A. Boswell, Jr., Wilmington, and William C. Ripka, Newark, Del., assignors to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del., :1 corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Nov. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 774,531 Int. Cl. C07c 169/06 US. Cl. 260-397.4 20 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Described and claimed are the 60cand 6,B-trifiuoromethoxyl steroids of the formulas OCFa and

Y ll

| OCF:

wherein R and R which may be the same or different, are

hydrogen or methyl; Xis

A0 OH Yis CH(OA0)CH: OH(OH)CH H 11 0 it i-CH3 C-CHa CFzCHa 0A0 OH F 0A0 I X 7 X X Y 7 x n 0A0 H H H F 05011 0H or=0 Ac is acetyl; and a is a single or a double carbon-carbon bond, with the proviso that when a is a double bond, R is methyl.

The trifluoromethoxyl androstanes of this invention possess anti-androgenic activity while the corresponding estrane and pregnane derivatives of this invention possess progestational, anti-fertility and anti-estrogenic activity.

Patented Dec. 8, 1970 This invention relates to selected biologically active steroid compounds and more particularly to certain 60:- and 6fl-trifluoromethoxyl androstane, estrane and pregnane derivatives possessing anti-androgenic, progestational, antifertility and anti-estrogenic activities.

Description of the prior art As fas as is known the compounds of this invention are new, no reference to them existing in the patent or general chemical literature.

SUMMARY AND DETAILS OF THE INVENTION The new compounds of this invention are selected 611- and 6fl-trifiuoromethoxyl androstane, estrane and pregnane derivatives of the formulas and Y II

I O C F3 wherein R and R which may be the same or different, are hydrogen or methyl;

Xis

0A0 OH H (H 0r=0 Yis o o omoaoona cmornon, (J-CH; ("3CH3 H \H H one omen. OAG OH /F 0A0 OH \H H H' \CECH c5011 Ac is acetyl; and a is a single or a double carbon-carbon bond, with the proviso that when a is a double bond, R is methyl.

6-trifluoromethoxyl steroids are obtained from the corresponding 6-fiuoroformates (prepared by reaction of 6- hydroxy derivatives with carbonyl fluoride) by reaction with sulfur tetrafluoride and hydrogen fluoride. Thus any 6-hydroxy steroid can be converted to its trifiuoromethyl derivative. Should the fluoroformate starting material have any functional groups reactive toward sulfur tetrafluoride, these groups may be suitably protected by the preparation of derivatives non-reactive toward SP A particularly versatile synthetic sequence to the compounds of this invention starts with a Ia-acetoxy-A steroid. This compound is reacted with nitrosyl fluoride followed by hydrolysis of the resulting 6-nitrimino group to give the Sa-fiUOlO-G-ktOIlC. This 6-keto derivative is reduced to the corresponding alcohol with, among other reagents, sodium borohydride in methanol. The 6-fluoroformate is then obtained by reaction of the alcohol with carbonyl fluoride. Reaction of the 5a-fluoro6-fluoro-formate with sulfur tetrafiuoride and hydrogen fluoride gives the Soc-fluoro-6-trifluoromethoxyl steroid. The protecting 3-acetate is hydrolyzed, the resulting alcohol is oxidized to the ketone and this 3-keto-5a-fluoro-6-trifiuoromethoxyl steroid is treated with base to give the 6-trifluoromethoxyl-A -3-one steroid. Treatment with acid then gives the 6u-substituted compound.

The foregoing reaction sequence is illustrated as N-NO:

hydrolysis AcO R=CHa, H

Fl Fl A00 AcO- R I R I E OCFz OCFa R I R I I i) SFrHF Q OOFz OH OCFa EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Details relating to the preparation of the steroid compounds of this invention are set forth in the following nonlimiting examples.

4 EXAMPLE 1 3,20-dihydroxy-5a-fiuoro-6fi-trifiuoromethoxyl-16amethylpregnane diacetate 35,20 dihydroxy 50c fluoro 6p fluoroformyl 16amethylpregnane diacetate (23 g.) prepared as described below was dissolved in ml. of methylene chloride and reacted with 50 g. of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and 1000 g. of sulfur tetrafiuoride for 65 hours at 20i2 C. The resulting black reaction mixture was poured into water. The aqueous portion was extracted with two 250 ml. portions of methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride extracts were washed with two 250 ml. portions of saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and with two 250 m1. portions of saturated sodium chloride solution. Drying over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and evaporation of the solvent gave 5 g. of a black oil. This oil was chromatographed on 300 g. of Florisil and eluted with acetone-hexane mixtures (from 0 to 5%) to yield 2 g. of 3,20-dihydroxy-5a-fiuoro-GB-trifiuoromethoxyl-16amethylpregnane diacetate as a reddish oil.

The fiuoroformate used as starting material in Example I was prepared by the following series of reactions:

(A) 16a-methylpregn-5-en-3,20-diol To a solution of 50 g. of l6u-methylpregnenolone acetate in 600 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 500 ml. of methanol there was added 1.5 g. of solid sodium borohydride. The solution was stirred overnight at room temperature. An additional 1.0 g. of sodium borohydride was added and the mixture stirred an additional hour. This mixture was concentrated to a slurry on a rotary evaporator, then poured into one liter of water. It was stirred overnight, then filtered and dried to yield 63 g. of a White solid.

(B) 16u-methylpregn-5-en-3fl,206-dio1 diacetate HO A- The 63 g. of diol from part (A) was dissolved in 500 ml. of acetic anhydride, refluxed for 2 hours and allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The solution was then concentrated under vacuum (pump). Two liters of water were added and the mixture stirred for 3 hours. The white solid was filtered and air-dried, its weight being 52.3 g.

An analytical sample was crystallized from acetonehexane to give small clusters of needles, M.P. 106l10.

Analysis.--Calcd. for C H O (percent): C, 74.95; H, 9.68. Found (percent): C, 74.68, 75.06; H, 9.56, 9.69.

Infrared: ACHCh 5.81 1 (C=O), 5.99 (unconj. 0 0) max.

(C) 3,20 dihydroxy-5u-fluoro-16a-methyl-pregn-6-one diacetate AlzOa F ll N-NO2 f ,OAc

AcO-

F I O The 52.3 g. of diacetate from part (B) was dissolved in 150 ml. of methylene chloride and cooled to 0. Nitrosyl fluoride (19 g.) was slowly bubbled into the solution. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand overnight and was then poured into water. The methylene chloride layer was separated, washed with water and saturated sodium chloride solution and finally dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The methylene chloride solution was concentrated go give an oil. A small sample of this oil was crystallized from acetone-hexane, M.P. 189-191, [oc] 76 (c. 1.41 chf.).

Analysis. Calcd. for C H O FN (percent): C, 63.13; H, 7.95; F, 3.84; N, 5.66. Found (percent): C, 63.41, 63.45; H, 7.51, 7.69; N, 5.08, 5.06.

Infrared: 8E3? 5.78,u (ester 0 0), 6.10 11 (C=N), 6.33 and 7.62;; (N02), .75 1. (CF) Ultraviolet: A232? 267 m (6 504) The above oil was chromatographed on 1300 g. of grade III alumina with hexane-benzene mixtures to afford 43 g. of a yellow-white solid. Recrystallization from acetone-hexane gave 29 g. of fine white needles, M.P. 166 176", [a] -I2 (c. 1.28 chf.).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O F (percent): C, 69.30;

6 H, 8.73; O, 17.76; F, 4.22. Found (percent): C, 69.56, 69.68; H, 8.71, 8.77; F, 4.69.

Infrared: $295.80.. 0:0

(D) 35,65,205-trihydroxy 5a fluoro-l6a-methylpregnane 3,20-diacetate N 1 E. l omorr -rnr AcO u 0 GAO r ]--CH3 l AcO- To a solution of 34.2 g. of the fluoroketone of Part (C) in 500 ml. of methanol and 200 m1. of tetrahydro- Infrared: x39 2.77 and 2.86u (OH), 5.79 (este 0:0), 7.98; (acetate C-O) (E) 3B,65,20-trihydroxy-5a-fluoro-16a-methy1pregnane 6-fluoroformate 3,20-diacetate OAc AcO

A solution of 30.5 g. 3B,6p20-trihydroxy-5a-fluoro- 16a-methylpregnane 3,20-diacetate from Part (D) in ml. of methylene chloride was allowed to react with 100 g. of carbonyl fluoride for 20 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into water. The methylene chloride layer was separated and Washed with three 100 ml. portions of water, two 100 ml. portions of saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and finally with a 250 ml. portion of saturated sodium chloride solution. When dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated the methylene chloride layer afiorded 23 g. of 36,20-dihydroxy 5a fluoro 6B fluoroformyl 16a methylpregnane diacetate. An analytical sample was obtained by recrystallization from acetone-hexane to give white needles, M.P. 197-200".

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O -F (percent): C, 65.04; H, 8.07; F, 7.62. Found (percent): C, 65.15, 65.16; H, 7.87, 7.97; F, 7.60, 7.78.

O I max 5.46;]. (OAIF 578a (ester :0), 7.95 and 9.70; (COC), 8.5 to 9.0 (CF) Infrared: ACHCIS O OFa Two grams of the trifiuoromethoxyl steroid of Example I were taken up in 100 ml. of methanol and 20 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The solution was warmed on a steam bath for 1 hour, then allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was poured into 600 ml. of water and extracted with five 100 ml. portions of methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride extracts were washed with two 100 ml. portions of water and saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and evaporated to yield 1.24 g. of 3,20-dihydroxy- Soc-fitIOI'O 618 trifiuoromethoxyl-l6a-methylpregnane as a yellow oil.

0 I. Infrared: A352 2.90 (OH), 5.80;; (OCCH 8.75 1.

OCF

EXAMPLE III 5zx-fluoro-6(3-trifluoromethoxyl-16u-methyl-pregna- The diol (1.24 g.) from Example II was dissolved in ml. of acetone and cooled to 0. Excess Jones reagent was added dropwise. The resulting solution was allowed to stir for 30 minutes at 0, and then methanol was added to destroy excess oxidizing agent. The solution was filtered to remove salts, diluted with 600 ml. of water and extracted with methylene chloride to give 1.035 g. of 5a fluoro-6fl-trifluoromethoxyl-16a-methylpregna-3,20-dione as a yellow oil.

Infrared: Ami, 5.80 1 ((3 0), 8.75 (OCF EXAMPLE IV 16ot-methyl-65-trifiuoromethoxylprogesterone OCH OUF;

The trifluoromethoxyl steroid (1.035 g.) from Example III was chromatographed on 30 g. of grade III alumina and eluted with hexane-benzene mixtures to give 305 mg. of solid material. Two recrystallizations from acetone-hexane gave mg. of fine, colorless needles of 16u-methyl 6B trifluoromethoxylprogesterone, M.P. 170.0170.5.

Infrared: A232 5.80;; (C20 C=O), 5.95 1 (C3 conjugated C=O), 8.75;]. (OCF Analysis.Calcd. for C H O F (percent): C, 66.97; H, 7.57; O, 11.64; F, 13.82. Found (percent): C, 67.13, 66.90, 66.90; H, 7.51, 6.89, 7.66.

U.V.: A 232 m (6 12,300), 290 m (e 74), 330 my.

EXAMPLE V 5ot-fluoro-19-nor-androstane-3/3,6B,17,8-triol 3,17-diacetate 6-trifluoromethyl ether 5a-fluoro-19-nor-androstane-3B,6fl,17fl-triol 3,17-diacetate 6-fluoroformate (3.18 g.), methylene chloride (75 ml.), anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (11 g.), and sulfur tetrafluoride (200 g.) were shaken for 65 hours at 20 2 in a sealed reactor. The separation procedure of Example I gave an oil which was chromatographed on 100 g. of Florisil and eluted with acetone-hexane mixtures yielding 550 mg. of product, M.P. 146-148 (from acctone-hexane), [a] +7 (c. 1.185 chf.) of 5ot-fluoro- 19-nor-androstane-3fl,65,17,Btriol 3,17-diacetate 6-triflu0- romethyl ether.

AnaIysis.Calcd. for C H O F (percent): C, 59.47; H, 6.95; F, 16.34. Found (percent): C, 59.42, 59.80; H, 6.78, 7.02; F, 15.30, 15.53.

Infrared: 1 5.76 1 (C O); 8.04, 9.59 11 (COC),

N.M.R. (F 3,310 c.p.s. (singlet) and 10,410 c.p.s.

(multiplet) from F 11.

The tit-fluoro 19 nor-androstane-3 3,613,17fi-trio1 3,17- diacetate 6-fluoroformate used as starting material in Example V was obtained by the following reactions:

(A) Estr-5(6)-en-3/3,l7B-diol diacetate AcCl v H H l l 1) NaBH4 I AcO- i 2) M OAc i A solution of 141 g. of 19-nortestosterone, 100 ml. of acetic anhydride, 500 ml. of acetyl chloride and m1. of pyridine was refluxed for 1 /2 hours and then allowed to stand overnight. It was then concentrated to a slurry and cooled in ice; 250 ml. of methanol were added. The precipitate formed was filtered and air dried to give 152 g. of a white solid. The filtrate was concentrated and cooled to give an additional 12 g. of product.

0 II Infrared: 231? 5.75, 5.85;]. (CH CO 6.05 (C=C) In two separate runs 75 g. of the enol acetate was dissolved in a mixture of 500 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 500 ml. of methanol. Sodium borohydride (86.3 g.), slurried in 150 ml. of water, was slowly added and the mixture stirred overnight. The mixture was concentrated under vacuum and diluted with water. The precipitate was filtered and dried.

Infrared: kgfif" 2.9 (OH) The combined products from the two runs were dissolved in 1000 ml. of acetic anhydride and refluxed for 45 minutes. The solution was concentrated under vacuum, diluted with water; the precipitate filtered and washed well with water. Crystallization from acetone-hexane yielded 63 g. of product.

(B) Set fluoro-3,8,17fl-dihydroxyestran-6-one diacetate 19-nor-5-androstene-3,17-diol diacetate (60 g.) in 200 ml. of methylene chloride cooled to 0 was reacted with To a solution of Six-fluoro-19-nor-androstane-6-one-3, 17-diol diacetate (12 g.) in 400 ml. of tetrahydrofuran there was added 40 g. of lithium aluminum tri-t-butoxy hydride, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 48 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into 1.5 liters of 5% acetic acid and stirred at 0 for 2 hours. The precipitate was filtered and dried to yield 9.4 g. of product. Crystallization from acetone-hexane gave 6.0 g., M.P. 187-187.5(d), [a] +9 (c. 1.585 chf.).

Analysis.Calcd. for C H FO (percent): C, 66.64; H, 8.39; F, 4.80. Found (percent): C, 66.49, 67.17; H, 8.37, 8.51; F, 5.09, 5.05.

0 Infrared: A511: 287 (OH); 5.75, 5.82/1. (04 301-1 N.M.R. (F 10,600 c.p.s. and 10,634 c.p.s. (possible doublet) from F 11 (D) 5a fluoro 19 nor androstane 3, 6,6 l7 triol 3,17-diacetate fluoroformate I OAc H 00F: Y

AeO 3 N.M.R. (F 9,645, 10.338, 880, 929 c.p.s. from F 11.

1 1 EXAMPLE VI 36,6;3,17 8-trihydroxy-5a-fluoro-19-nor-androstane 6-trifluoromethyl ether OAc OIII OCFs Infrared: AS133? 3.0g (C -OH), 8.75;; (OCF The aqueous filtrate from the above was extracted several times with methylene chloride to give a yellow oil whose infrared spectrum indicated it to be a mixture of starting material and product. This oil was taken up in 120 ml. of methanol and 30 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and was heated on a steam bath for one hour. It was allowed to stand overnight and then worked up as before to yield 0.6 g. of 35,6 3,17/3-trihydroxy-5a-fiuoro 19-nor-androstane 6-trifiuoromethyl ether as a white solid.

Infrared: x5333 3.0.. (O3,.TH 8.75,. 0013 EXAMPLE VII a-fluoroandrostane-304,65,l7B-triol 6-trifiuoromethyl ether 3,17-diacetate 5tx-fluoro-androstane-3,6,17-triol 6-fluoroformate 3,17- diacetate g.) in 150 ml. of methylene chloride was reacted with g. of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and 1000 g. of sulfur tetrafluoride at 20:2" for hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water, additional methylene chloride was added and the mixture was filtered. The methylene chloride layer was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, water and saturated sodium chloride solution and was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated. The resulting thick black oil was chromatographed on ca. 600 g. of Florisil and eluted with 2 liters of hexane, 1 liter of 1% acetone-hexane, 1 liter of 2% acetone-hexane, 1 liter of 3% acetone-hexane and 4% acetone-hexane until pure 6-trifluoromethoxyl steroid was no longer obtained. The crystalline fractions were combined and triturated with cold petroleum ether to remove the orange color yielding 4.8 g. of 5a-fluoroandrostane-3B,6,8,l7fi-triol 6-trifluor0- methyl ether 3,17-diacetate as a white solid.

Infrared: A232? 5.80 (ester C=O), 8.75; (OCF The fiuoroformate steroid used as starting material in Example VII was obtained as follows:

(A) Sat-fluoroandrostane-6-one-3,17-diol diacetate 5-androsten-3,17-diol diacetate g.) in ml. of methylene chloride, cooled to 0, was reacted with 33 g. of nitrosyl fluoride. Nine hours were required to pass this amount of nitrosyl fluoride into the solution after which time the reaction mixture was poured into water; the methylene chloride portion was washed with water and saturated sodium chloride solution and was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated to yield a green oil which was chromatographed on 1400 g. of Grade III alumina and eluted with hexane and hexanebenzene mixtures to yield 93 g. of a yellow-white product. Recrystallization from methanol yielded 47.8 g., M.P. 169- 171. A second crop of 16.1 g. was obtained, M.P. 163- 166.

OAc

To a solution of 50 g. (0.122 mole) of 5ot-fluoro-3fl,l7;9- dihydroxyandrostan-6-one diacetate in 500 ml. of 95% ethanol and 300 ml. of tetrahydrofuran, cooled to 0, there was added 5.25 g. (0.138 mole) of solid sodium borohydride, and the solution was stirred at 0 for one hour. Dilute hydrochloric acid was added to decompose the excess hydride, and the solution was concentrated. The resulting solid was slurried with water, filtered and dried. Recrystallization in acetone-hexane yielded 31.9 g. of product, M.P. 162-164.

An alternative procedure involved the addition of solid lithium aluminum tri-t-butoxy hydride to a solution of 5afluoroandrostane-6-one-3,17-diol diacetate in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 48 hours and poured into 5% acetic acid. The granular solid was filtered, washed with water and dried. Crystallization in acetone-hexane yielded a white solid, M.P. 166-169". A second crop was obtained, 3.55 g., M.P. 162-166".

13 (C) 5a-fiuoroandrostane 3a,6;3,17/3 triol 6 fluoroformate 3,17-diacetate OAc Ac a-fluoroandrostane-3,6,17 triol 3,17 diacetate (61.0 g.) in 300 ml. of methylene chloride was reacted with carbon fluoride for hours at in a sealed reactor. The reaction mixture was then poured into .water and the methylene chloride portion washed with water, saturated sodium chloride and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent and crystallization from acetone-hexane gave 55.0 g., M.P. 155-158.

EXAMPLE VIII 5a-fiuoroandrostane-3a,6p,17;3-triol G-Trifiuoromethyl To a solution of 300 mg. of 5u-fiuoroandrostane-3a,6p, 17 fi-triol 6-trifiuoromethyl ether 3,17-diacetate from Example VII in 20 ml. of methanol there was added 5 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The solution was heated at reflux for one hour and then allowed to stand overnight. Water was added to precipitate the product which was crystallized once from aqueous methanol and recrystallized from aceton-hexane to yield 200 mg. of white needles of 5a-fiuoroandrostane-30:,6/3,17,8-tri01 6-trifiuoromethyl ether, M.P. 164-165 Analysis.-Calcd. for C H F O (percent): C, 60.90; H, 7.67; F, 19.27. Found (percent): C, 59.83, 59.49; H, 7.80, 7.81; F, 19.35, 19.24.

EXAMPLE 1X 5a-fiuoroandrostan-6fi-ol-3,17-dione trifluoromethyl ether M .r I

F I OCFa an analytical sample, M.P. 176-178 of 5a-fluoroandrostan-6 3-ol-3,17-dione trifluoromethyl ether.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H F O (percent): C, 61.53;

H, 6.71; F, 19.47. Found (percent): C, 61.77, 61.64; H,

Infrared: 5.73, 5.77,. (satd C=Os), 7.82;: 0-

o 8.75,. or

EXAMPLE X 4-androsten-6B-ol-3,17-dione trifluoromethyl ether AlzOs-HzO I O O- F I W O C F3 0 CF;

5a-fluoroandrostan-6B-ol 3,17 dione trifluoromethyl ether (0.872 g.) from Example IX was chromatographed on 60 g. of grade III alumina using benzene as eluant. Recrystallization in acetone-hexane yielded a total of 549 mg. M.P. 170-172, [a] +74 (c. 1.65 chf.) of 4- androst-4-ene 3,17-dione trifluoromethyl ether.

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O F (percent): C, 64.85; H, 6.80; F, 15.39. Found (percent): C, 64.96, 64.28; H, 6.79, 6.83; F, 15.75. Infrared: A 3.29 (=C-H), satd 5.76,:7 (C :0), 5.95 (unsatd 0 :0), 6.18 (C=C), 7.81; (O-C) Ultraviolet: A522? 232 m (e 11, 600), 330 m (sh. e 35),

N.M.R.: 74.1 (singlet, 1H), 7-5.2 (multiplet, 1H), 17.3-

(multiplet 23H) F N.M.R.: +3291 (OCF EXAMPLE XI 4-androsten-3::,6B,17B-triol 6-trifluoromethyl ether NaBH; m O 2 5 OCFa OCF;

To a solution of 5.496 g. (14.8 mmole) of 4-androsten-3,17-dione-6fl-ol trifluoromethyl ether in 250 ml. of ethanol, cooled to 0, there was added 3.0 g. of solid sodium borohydride. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 0, then poured into ice-water and filtered to give 5.35 g. of 4-androsten-3a,6fl,1713-triol 6-trifluoromethyl ether as a white solid.

Infrared: 313? 3.10,. (OH), 6.0,. (C=C), 8.80,. 0011",

EXAMPLE XII 6,8,17p-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 6-trifluoromethy1 ether OH 0 I I DD Q,

o 0 Fr o F:

To a solution of 5.35 g. of 4-androsten-3ot,6fl,l7B-triol 6-trifiuoromethyl ether in 500 ml. of dioxane there was added 5.6 g. of dicyanodichloroquinone, and the mixture was stirred for 5 days at room temperature. Benzene (500 ml.) was added, and the solution was extracted repeatedly with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, with cold 5% sodium hydroxide solution and finally with saturated sodium chloride solution. The organic solution was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated to give 6.0 g. of a yellow liquid which crystallized on standing. The material was chromatographed on Florisil to yield 4.40 g. of white solid which was crystallized from acetone-hexane to yield fine white needles of 65,175-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one 6-trifiuoromethyl ether, M.P. 153154.5, [a] +l4 (c. 1.25 chf.).

Analysis.Calcd for C2H27O3F3 (percent): C, 64.50; H, 7.31; F, 15.30. Found (percent): C, 64.70; H, 7.18; F, 15.18.

Infrared: 2.78, 2.91;; (OH), 5.91;; (unsatd Ultraviolet A522? 233 mu (6 11,900), 330 mu (6 38) H N.M.R.: 1- 9.17 (singlet, 3H), 1- 8.70 (singlet, 3H), 7' 6.30 (triplet, J-8 c.p.s., 1H), 1- 5.20 (multiplet, 1H), 1 4.12 (singlet, 1H).

F N.M.R. (56.4 mc.): +3289 c.p.s. from F 11 EXAMPLE XIII A mixture of 1.0 g. of 6;.3-trifiuoromethoxylandrostendione from Example X, 0.7 m1. of water, 3.5 ml. of tetrahydrofuran, 20 ml. of methylene chloride and 46 g. of sulfur tetrafluoride was shaken for 10 hours at 20i2. The separation procedure of Example I gave a semi-solid mass whose infrared spectrum indicated it was primarily unreacted starting material. The above reaction was repeated using the recovered steroid (1.0 g.), 1.7 ml. of water (instead of 0.7 ml.), 20 ,ul. of methylene chloride and 46 g. of sulfur tetrafluoride. The mixture was shaken at 20:2" for 24 hours. Separation and chromatography on Florisil gave a white solid material. Crystallization from hexane gave 53.5 mg. (first crop), M.P. 108-110. The mother liquors were subjected to preparative chromatography (silica gel G using 12% ethyl acetate/chloroform) to give an additional 113 mg. of pure material. Crystallization from acetone-hexane gave 60 mg. of 17, 17-difluoro-65-trifluorornethoxy-4-androsten-3-one.

Analysis.-Calcd for C H O F (percent): C, 61.22; H, 6.42; F, 24.21. Found (percent): C, 60.80, 61.01; H, 6.36, 6.50.

Infrared: REE; 5.92; (C =O), 6.12;; (C =C 7.8;

Ultraviolet: X522? 330m (e47), 232 my (6 13,400)

N.M.R. (H H-18 (doublet at 0.97 p.p.m., 1:2 c.p.s.), H-19 (1.33 p.p.m.) H6 (multiplet at 4.82 p.p.m.), H-4 (5.92 p.p.m.)

1 6 EXAMPLE XIV 20,20-difluoro-6a-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3 -one 6-trifiuoromethyl ether OCFa A solution of 2.0 g. of 6a-hydroxy-progesterone in 50 ml. of methylene chloride was reacted overnight at ambient temperature with 30 g. of carbonyl fluoride. The excess carbonyl fluoride was then vented and 8 g. of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and 150 g. of sulfur tetrafiuoride was added. This solution was shaken in a sealed reactor for hrs. at 20i2. The reaction mixture was poured into water, the methylene chloride layer separated and the resulting oil chromatographed on 60 g. of Florisil and eluted with hexane and acetone-hexane mixtures to yield 1.03 g. of an orange oil which had the infrared bands expected for 20,20-difiuoro-6a-hydroxy-4- pregnen-3-one 6-trifiuoromcthyl ether. N.M.R. (H 0.88 p.p.m. (H-l8, triplet with J-2 c.p.s.),

1.23 p.p.m. (H-19), 5.21 p.p.m. (I-I-6, multiplet), 6.12

p.p.m. (H-4, doublet J-2 c.p.s.)

N.M.R. (F +3353 o.p.s. (6OCF +5260 c.p.s.

/F (C20 multiplet \F Infrared: x 5.93,. (c =o 6.12,. c.,=c 7.75-

Using the general procedures specifically illustrated by the foregoing examples, 17a-acetoxy-6 3-trifluoromethoxylprogesterone may be prepared by the following route:

1) NOF OAG OAc

OAc

\fioAe OH OCFa ( l j on SF4 R HF AeO 20 0 A00 I I 1 5 l 3;- 0 OCF:

0H V '---o oH ---0Ae I i j 40 R t 0 F I 00F:

00F! OH O ogen i ---0Ae R (50F: By reaction of 6/3-trifluoromethoxy1-A -3-one steroids with dichlorodicyanoquinone, the corresponding A steroids are obtained. For example, when 16u-methy1- 6 3-trifluoromethoxylprogesterone is reacted with dichloroom -OAc dicyanoquinone, there results the corresponding A unsaturation as illustrated in the equation O: O Tom J an,

l 00F: 00F:

17u-ethynyl-6,84rifluoromethoxyl-testosterone and 170: ethynyl-Gfl-trifluoromethoxyl-19-nor-testosterone are obo:

tained by the following reactions where R is methyl or 1 hydrogen:

19 Although most of the compounds in the preceding examples have been named as 6 8-trifluoromethyl ether derivatives of steroids, the 6position substituent can be in the 6a-position (ExampleXIV). Such is further illustrated by the following equation and description:

A small sample (54 mg.) of 4-androsten-3,17-dione- 6 3-01 trifluoromethyl ether was dissolved in ca. 1 m1. of deuteriochloroform. The solution, contained in an N.M.R. tube, was cooled to and anhydrous hydrochloric acid was passed into it for approximately fifteen minutes. The tube was capped and allowed to stand at room temperature. The vinyl hydrogen region of the N.M.R. spectrum was observed at various intervals. The allylic 60c proton of the starting material appears as a singlet at 1- 4.05 while the allylic 6- 3 proton of the 6a-trifluoromethoxyl isomer should appear as a doublet at slightly lower field. Equilibrium of the Gfi-trifluoromethoxyl isomer in acidified chloroform leads to the appearance of a doublet at 73.80 (J =2 c.p.s.). The progress of the equilibration, as measured by the ratio of areas of the 60: and 6,8 protons is shown below.

In a similar manner 4-androsten-3,17-dione-6fi-o1 trifluoromethyl ether was dissolved in glacial acetic acid and while cooled to -20 anhydrous hydrochloric acid was passed in. The results are shown below.

Time (min.): N.M.R. areas (6a H/6B H) EXAMPLE A These compounds of this invention are active endocrine agents having activities that are similar to but greater than the corresponding steroids which do not contain the trifluoromethoxyl group.

For example the compound of Example XII, a 6-trifiuoromethoxyl testosterone, is a potent antiandrogen. This was shown by the following procedure:

Male Swiss mice were castrated at age 21-23 days. Beginning on the day after castration, testosterone (in 0.1 ml. sesame oil, subcutaneous injection, 0.8 mg. total dose) was administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. At the same time, the compound of Example XII (in 0.2 ml. CMC/SC injection) was administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. At the same time, the compound of Example XII (in 0.2 ml. CMC/SC injection) was administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. The mice were autopsied on the day after the 1st injection. Prostrate and seminal vesicle weights were obtained and demon-' 20 strated that the compound was a potent antiandrogen when compared with progesterone, a standard inhibitor. The following table shows results obtained.

Total dose Relative Total testosweight dose, terone, seminal Material administered mg. mg. vesicles Pr t r0 e 10 0. 8 5

Oges e n 20 0. 8 0. 52 Trlfluoromethoxyl testosterone g g A further test showning anti-androgen activity of the compounds of this invention is as follows:

Day old male white Leghorn chicks were injected once with testosterone enanthate (0.5 mg./*0.1 ml. sesame oil SC). Beginning on the same day, 16a-methyl-6fi-trifluoromethoxyl-progesterone (see Example IV) was injected (about 0.03 mg./0.05 ml. sesame oil) daily for 7 days (total of 2 mg. of compound used). At autopsy on the eighth day the mean body weight for all chicks tested was substantially the same but the mean comb ratio for the control set was 0.48:0.03, for testosterone injection was 13110.09 and for testosterone plus the above compound was 0.9020105. These data demonstrate the ability of the compound of Example IV to offset the androgenic response initiated by testosterone administration.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. The 6aand fl-trifiuoromethoxyl steroid compounds of the formulas Y II (\l "R: R1

and

wherein R and R, which may be the same or diflFerent, are

hydrogen or methyl;

CH(OAe)OHs CH(OH)CH; Y is x i l c-om l-CH3 orient OAc 7 I 11 A0 11 H on F 0A0 OH I a y 1 or =0 11 F 0 20H 0 on Ac is acetyl; and

a is a single or a double carbon-carbon bond, with the proviso that when a is a double bond, R is methyl.

2. The compound of Formula I of claim 1 wherein 0A0 CH(OAc)CH1 R =R =meth X= Y= and the 6-trifluoromethoxyl group is S-oriented, 3,20- dihydroxy 5a fiuoro 6B trifluoromethoxyl 160:-

methylpregnane diacetate.

3. The compound of Formula I of claim 1 wherein OH cmomom R1=R =methyl, Y:

and the fi-trifiuoromethoxyl group is Er-oriented, 3,20-dihydroxy 5a. fiuoro 6B trifluoromethoxyl-lfia-methylpregnane.

4. The compound of Formula I of claim 1 wherein 6fl-trifluoromethoxyl-16a-methyl-pregna-3,20-dione.

5. The compound of Formula II of claim 1 wherein R =n =meth r X=keto, Y:

a=a single carbon-carbon bond and the 6-trifiuoromethoxyl group is El-oriented, 16a-methyl-6B-trifluoromethoxylprogesterone.

6. The compound of Formula I of claim 1 wherein 0A0 R =R =hydr0gen, X=Y=/ and the G-trifiuoromethoxyl group is B-oriented, 5ozfiuoro-19-nor-androstane-3p, 6fl-l7fi-triol 3,17-diacetate 6- trifluoromethyl ether.

7. The compound of Formula I of claim 1 wherein R -R hydrogen, X=Y=( androstane-3a, 6B, 1.7,6-triol 6-trifiuoromethyl ether 3,17- diacetate.

9. The compound of Formula I of claim 1 wherein OH R =methyl, R =hydrogen, X=Y= and the fi-trifluorornethoxy group is ,B-oriented, SwfillOIO- androstane-3u,6;3,17B-triol fi-trifluoromethyl ether.

10. The compound of Formula I of claim 1 wherein R =-methyl, R =hydrogen, X=Y=keto and the 6-trifluoromethoxyl group is B-oriented, 5a-fluoroandrostan- 6,3-01-3, 17-dione trifluoromethyl ether.

11. The compound of Formula II of claim 1 wherein R -=methyl, R =hydrogen, X=Y=keto, a=a single carbon-carbon bond and the 6-trifluoromethoxyl group is 5- oriented, 4-androsten 6fi-ol 3,17-dione trifluoromethyl ether.

12. The compound of Formula II of claim 1 wherein OH R =methyl, R =hydrogen, X=Y=( a=a single carbon-carbon bond and the 6-trifluoromethoxyl group is i -oriented, 4-androsten-3,6fi,17fl-triol 6- trifluoromethyl ether.

13. The compound of Formula II of claim 1 wherein 0H R =methyl, R =hydrogen, X=keto, Y%

a=a single carbon-carbon bond and the fi-trifluoromethoxyl group is fi-oriented, 6,8,l7 8-dihydroxyandrost-4-en- 3-one trifluoromethyl ether.

14. The compound of Formula II of claim 1 wherein a=a single carbon-carbon bond and the 6-trifluoromethoxyl group is B-oriented, 17,17-difluoro-6fl-hydroxy-4- androsten-B-one trifluoromethyl ether.

15. The compound of Formula II of claim 1 wherein C F 2 0 H3 R methyl, R =hydr0gen, X=keto, Y-

a=a single carbon-carbon bond and the 6-trifluoromethoxyl group is a-oriented, 20,20-difluoro-6a-hydroxy-4- pregnen-3-one 6-trifluoromethyl ether.

16. The compound of Formula II of claim 1 wherein O iLCH. R =methyl, R =hydr0gen, X=keto, Y=

OAc

a=a single carbon-carbon bond and the 6-trifiuoromethoxyl group is B-oriented, 17a-acetoxy-6,8-trifiuoromethoxylprogesterone.

17. The compound of Formula II of claim 1 wherein a=a single carbon-carbon bond and the 6-trifluoromethoxyl group is fi-oriented, 17a-ethynyl-Gfi-trifluoromethoxyl-19-nor-testosterone.

23 24 19. The compound of Formula II of claim 1 wherein R =methyl, R =l1ydrogen, X=Y=keto, a=a single car- 0 hon-carbon bond and the 6-trifluoromethoxyl group is aoriented, 4-androsten-6a-ol-3,17-dione trifluoromethyl C CH ether. R R =methy1,X=keto, Y: 5 No references cited.

H a=a carbon-carbon double bond and the 6-trifluorometh- ELBERT ROBERTS Primary Examiner oxyl group is B-oriented, fifl-trifluoromethoxyl-IGa-meth- 5 C1. X3.

yl-A -progesterone.

20. The compound of Formula II of claim 1 wherein 10 260239"55 397's; 424243 

